“Look at someone like Daly Cherry-Evans. He is on about $130,000 a year and is now a Test player. Rugby league can produce its own without signing a rugby union convert with questionable skills for $700,000.”

Cooper’s plunging value is also a slap in the face for his agent Khoder Nasser, who prides himself on being able to command top dollar for his clients, who include Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Mundine.

The Daily Telegraph contacted several NRL clubs yesterday and each dismissed a desire to sign Cooper.

“No doubt he can play but whether he would be a success at the highest level in rugby league remains to be seen,” Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg said.